The WRRC is accepting abstracts for the poster session at its April 8, 2014 Annual Conference, "Closing the Gap Between Water Supply and Demand," through this coming Monday, Feb. 3. The poster session is sponsored by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Interested students, researchers and practitioners are invited to submit poster abstracts on research related to the conference theme, including but not limited to: water reuse, quality, supply, climate, environment, the role of governments and markets, and water management and policy. Students are strongly encouraged to submit abstracts.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three student poster winners: First Prize ($200); Second ($150); Third ($100). Submit an abstract.

Alteration of springs ecosystems has become a global environmental crisis, warranting local, national and global conservation attention. Springs are ecologically important habitats that support elevated biological and socio-cultural diversity. They have been insufficiently studied as ecosystems, and few remain ecologically intact. In this talk, Larry Stevens will address recent advances in springs ecohydrology and ecology, and address some of the challenges and opportunities that accompany enhanced springs stewardship.

The Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) released its Strategic Vision for Water Supply Sustainability earlier this month, which closely analyzes water supply and demand in Arizona. Recent studies indicate the potential for a long-term gap between water supply and demand in Arizona if no action is taken. ADWR's Strategic Vision examines potential strategies for water users across Arizona to manage possible future supply challenges. Read the complete Strategic Vision, which includes messages from Gov. Jan Brewer and ADWR Director Sandy Fabritz-Whitney, here.

Arizona Project WET Implements SWAP Program at Booth-Fickett School

Students of all grade levels from Booth-Fickett Science and Math Magnet School in Tucson will participate in Arizona Project WET's (APW) SWAP (School Water Audit Program) program. In April and May, students will drive change in their communities by swapping water waste for water efficiency at school and home. Older students will mentor younger students, and all students will bring water-efficient ideas home to their parents. This STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) program is a partnership of APW, Champions for Change and Tucson Water. Read the complete story here.

Water RAPIDS Program to Hold Feb. 12 Upper Gila River Watershed Workshop

The WRRC's Water RAPIDS team and the Gila Watershed Partnership will hold a Scenario Planning Workshop for the Upper Gila River Watershed in Safford on Feb. 12. The scenarios created through this workshop will eventually be used in the creation of a watershed plan. This one-day meeting will focus on identifying important driving forces in the region. Individuals and groups with knowledge or interest (particularly those who live or work) in the Upper Gila Watershed are invited to participate. (8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., 1651 W. Discovery Park Blvd.). Contact Katie Banister to RSVP or for more info.

14th Biennial Symposium on Managed Aquifer Recharge: July 31-Aug. 1

The Arizona Hydrological Society and the Groundwater Resources Association of California have teamed up to bring back the 14th Biennial Symposium on Managed Aquifer Recharge (BSMAR 14) for the first time since 2007. The Symposium, for which the WRRC is a cooperating organization, will be held in Orange, Calif. from July 31 - Aug. 1. Abstracts are due by March 21. Explore the agenda, learn more and register for the Symposium here.

UA Extension Offers Feb. 18 Beginner's Farmer Workshop in Cottonwood

University of Arizona Cooperative Extension is offering a four-day workshop in Cottonwood, Ariz. aimed at those interested in starting a business growing and selling vegetables or specialty crops. Three workshop sessions will be held at the Yavapai County Cottonwood Annex (Feb. 18, March 4 & 18), and a fourth will be a field tour of a local farm (TBD). There is no fee, but space is limited to 25. RSVP by calling Camp Verde Extension: (928) 554-8990.

WRRC's "Green" Water Station Saves 1,100 Water Bottles from Landfill

The WRRC's eco-friendly Elkay EZH2O water bottle filling station has saved more than 1,100 plastic water bottles from the landfill since its installation over the summer. The station fills bottles three times faster than traditional water fountains, and features an innovative Green Ticker (TM), which tracks the number of water bottles saved from the trash. The "green" fountain features a sensor-activated, touch-free bottle filler, a traditional drinking spout and and a 3,000-gallon filter.

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